The designer who spent weeks on a logo, got paid, and then discovered she owned nothing. That is what a work-made-for-hire clause can do, and it happens every single day to designers, photographers, musicians, illustrators, and writers.

In this episode, attorney Julie King of King Patent Law breaks down IP strategy for creatives: the four types of intellectual property protection, the copyright registration question that determines whether you can actually fight back when someone steals your work, the contract language that silently strips creatives of their rights, and a specific breakdown for influencers and content creators on brand deal IP traps.

In this episode:

• The four IP tools: copyright, trademark, patents, and trade secrets
• Why copyright is automatic but registration is essential
• AI and copyright: what the Copyright Office actually says
• Trademark for creatives: protecting your brand, not just your work
• Design patents and utility patents for product-based creatives
• Work-made-for-hire: the statutory categories every freelancer must know
• License vs. assignment: the difference that should change how you price your work
• Influencers and content creators: brand deal UGC traps, platform terms, and music licensing
• Six steps to protecting your creative work starting today

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: a common work-for-hire horror story
(02:48) The four IP tools for creatives
(03:03) Copyright: registration, DMCA, and what AI changes
(07:45) Trademark for creatives
(09:54) Patents: design and utility
(11:22) Trade secrets
(11:53) Work-made-for-hire deep dive
(14:06) License vs. assignment
(15:08) A note for influencers and content creators
(18:14) Six-step protection checklist
(21:03) Key takeaways
(22:38) FAQs - Can I copyright my art style? I created a logo for a client on a handshake deal. Who owns it? Can I use AI to create my logo and trademark it?
(24:31) Disclaimer and booking information

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

Full transcript and more resources at ⁠⁠kingpatentlaw.com/blog⁠

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com⁠. We serve intellectual property clients nationwide and business and estate planning clients in Illinois.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney

Julie King | King Patent Law, PLLC | 301 N Neil St Ste 400, Champaign IL 61820

Contains attorney advertisement material.